REHABILITATION can add years to your
dog's lifeBy Susan MarinoJanuary / February 2003

Veterinarian
Laurie McCauley made a life altering decision almost five years
ago. Unsatisfied with a veterinary practice that would not
allow her to offer acupuncture and chiropractic services to her
clients, she decided to venture out on her own. Today Dr.
McCauley is one of the pioneers in the field of animal
rehabilitation and runs TOPS, a state-of-the-art facility in
Grayslake, Illinois. She feels rehabilitation is the wave
of the future.

"I
believe canine physical therapy and rehabilitation will branch
out into specialties and be as integral a part of veterinary
medicine as physical therapy is to human medicine," says
Dr. McCauley.

Apparently,
other animal healers agree. More than twenty veterinarians
in the U.S. have left general practices to devote their skills
to animal rehabilitation.

"Animal
rehabilitation and physical therapy is a vastly expanding
specialty," says Denis J. Marcellin-Little, DEDV, Assistant
Professor of Orthopedic at North Carolina State
University. "We have known the value of physical
therapy for many years and are now doing research that
theoretically proves its value in veterinary medicine," he
says. The proof is in the results; with physical therapy
the animals get better.

Animals
frequently suffer from neurological and orthopedic conditions
which can leave them with decreased mobility and limited ability
to perform normal activities. Regardless of the method of
treatment, either surgical or conservative, physical therapy is
an integral part of the healing process, says Dr. Marcellin-Little.
"Rehabilitation can often mean the difference between
success and failure."

Beyond
painkillers and discomfort

Approximately
two-thirds of dogs undergoing rehabilitation are suffering from
chronic problems such as osteoarthritis. "The leading
orthopedic problems in our companion animals are hip dysplasia
and torn cranial cruciate ligaments followed by luxations and
trauma," says Dr. Marcellin-Little.

While
the use of vibrational medicine is often more limited in this
very mainstream field than in other medical fields, chiropractic
and acupuncture have made inroads. However, in my own
rehabilitation work, I have found that integrating allopathic
and holistic medicine can shorten healing time and enhance
wellness for our four-legged patients. Some of the
modalities to keep in mind include:

Nutrition: A well-rounded rehabilitation program starts with good
nutrition. With degenerative diseases, it is necessary to
biologically rebuild. In addition, weight management also
plays an important role so painful joints don't experience
unnecessary stress. Begin with a high quality diet that
can be tailored with supplements. For arthritic
conditions, it's important to produce an alkaline environment,
which allows the condition to heal. Omega-3 and omega-6
linoleic fatty acids help lubricate joints. Vitamins C and
E work together to rebuild cartilage and also limit free
radicals, which are partly responsible for inflammation.
Glucosamine sulfate fights against inflammation and can help
build cartilage. Apple cider vinegar has been known to
alleviate the pain of arthritis. Finally, avoid feeding
nightshade vegetables such as green peppers, potatoes, and
tomatoes. For acute conditions (usually resulting from
traumas such as accidental fractures or surgery) a diet rich in
silica, particularly in rolled oats, is essential for bone
maintenance.

Herbs: There are many herbs used in the treatment of arthritis.
One of the most effective is Devil's claw, which reduces
inflammation in degenerative conditions.

Homeopathy: can help improve healing and manage pain. Arnica is an
excellent first aid remedy. It is used for physical and
emotional shock and injury. It promotes healing of injured
tissues and regulates bleeding. Symphytum, also called
knitbone, is used to promote bone healing after a
fracture. Rhus toxicodendron is used if there is stiffness
when getting up (cold and wet aggravate pain). Bryonia is
recommended when pain increases with movement.

Massage: One of the more pleasurable rehabilitation modalities, there
are many different techniques employed in massage that address
sore and painful muscles. Gentle strokes allow body
movement to be more fluid. TTouch effectively helps
animals deal with pain.

Acupuncture: Those who practice this Oriental medicine believe that the
vital life force called "chi" runs through twelve main
pathways called meridians. Each meridian has an energetic
function. Small needles are placed along these pathways at
acupuncture points. Acupuncture has been used successfully
in management of both acute and chronic pain. Today we
understand the mechanism of acupuncture better than we
understand that of many widely used drugs.

Chiropractic: A method of care based on the body's innate ability to
heal. This ability controls all body functions. The
body's communication runs through the nervous system pathways so
it is essential that the body alignment be sound. The
alignment is achieved by manually adjusting the spine.

Using
the tools of the trade

Therapeutic
exercise is the foundation of any rehabilitative process.
"Humans and animals are moving creatures," explains
Dr. David Levine, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at the
University of Tennessee. After surgery there can be pain
and discomfort. Reduced activity can cause joint
stiffness, muscle atrophy and generalized weakness as well as
decreased flexibility. Physical therapy can help prevent
these conditions and improve functional outcomes. Although
post surgery your animal companion will follow a natural healing
process, animals heal much faster with physical therapy.
The tools of the physical therapy trade include:

Aquatic
therapy: Swimming is one of the best all around
exercises. It allows sore joints to move through a range
of motion without bearing weight. It is also valuable for
general fitness and weight loss. "We also like to do
preoperative conditioning," says Dr. McCauley.
"Animals that have preoperative conditioning are usually
more comfortable in the water after surgery," she
says. The water is heated to a comfortable 88 - 92
degrees.

The
underwater treadmill: This machine is quickly becoming
a most valued rehabilitative tool in physical therapy. The
animal enters the empty chamber and it slowly fills with warm
water. The animal bears much less weight when immersed in
water, and the therapist determines the degree of buoyancy by
adjusting the depth of the water. The treadmill encourages
near full extension of the joints, which is an advantage over
swimming.

Electrical
Muscle Stimulation (EMS): EMS is used to increase
circulation, loosen muscle fibers, stimulate muscle growth and
reduce stiffness in joints. Electrodes are placed on
specific trigger points on the animal's body. The EMS unit
will send comfortable electrical impulses through the skin that
stimulate nerves in the affected area.

Ultrasound: Just as in human therapy, ultrasound has been used
successfully in the treatment of both acute and chronic
pain. Ultrasound waves increase tissue temperatures.
This allows for increased collagen extensibility, blood flow and
enzyme activity. Ultrasound is also beneficial for chronic
non-healing wounds.

Appliances
for acute and chronic problems

In
addition to various therapies, veterinarians and therapists use
appliances for acute or chronic care. These appliances are
growing in popularity as human caregivers seek out alternatives
to euthanasia.

Splints
keep the leg in normal walking position and allow for increased
weight bearing of the affected limb. They also prevent the
knuckling associated with nerve paralysis, and reduce contractor
problems.

Carts,
"animal wheel chairs", are used for dogs with rear end
paralysis. These carts allow for independence and help an
animal live with dignity. Carts are custom made to an
animal's measurement.

Time
is a factor

While
therapists have more tools at their fingertips than ever before,
these professionals stress the importance of immediate post
operative treatment. "The problem is we are often
getting animals too late," says Dr. Neal Silvula, who uses
integrative medicine at his Dancing Dog Animal Wellness Center
in Rock Creek, Ohio. After an injury animals will take the
road of least resistance. They often develop many
compensatory changes over time. Early intervention is
important in the rehabilitative process.

So,
when choosing a rehabilitation facility or physical therapist
for your animal companion where do you start and what do you
look for?

First,
do your homework. To be an advocate for your animal
companion it is important that you understand the nature of your
animal's condition. Your veterinarian will engage you
differently if he/she feels that you have knowledge and
understanding of the procedure and the desired outcome.
You will be part of the rehabilitation team.

Ideally,
your dog's rehabilitation program will be in a full-service
facility with a team-oriented holistic approach. A
licensed veterinarian and a licensed physical therapist head up
the team, which is rounded out with a chiropractor, and
acupuncturist, hydro therapists, licensed massage therapists,
and technicians knowledgeable in electrical stimulation, alpha
stimulation, ultrasound, thermal agents, goniometry, and
splints. Animals can benefit from a combination of
therapies. Each dog's care plan should reflect the
animal's individual needs.

Of
course, rehabilitation requires a financial and time
commitment. Fee structures vary greatly from city to city
and many facilities offer a variety of comprehensive
plans. Commit to a treatment plan that is within your
budget and time constraints.

Remember
that the true value of the therapist is his/her trained hands
and skillful eye. Although knowledge of technique and body
mechanics is vital, many believe that the best therapists are
the ones who also have an intuitive and creative sense as
well. One of the biggest challenges for these
professionals is getting the pain-ridden animal to perform
beneficial activities and exercises. The therapeutic
activities need to be fun and simple to keep the animal engaged.

Animal
rehabilitation is a client-driven field for those who want the
best for their companion animals. Using integrative
medicine and the tools of the rehabilitation trade, your animal
can enjoy a productive and loving life for years to com.